I have, by shear luck and coincidence, become the owner of a few BEO products. I have a nice MC40 hi-fi cabinet (rosewood), a Beocenter 1500 receiver/tape deck, and soon I will have a Beogram 1602 Turntable.

Like many collectors of electrical audiana, my tastes usually exceed my ability to pay for what I like. I picked up the cabinet at a thrift store for $55.00. I got the Beocenter 1500 from a co-worker for free, and I purchased the Beogram TT online for $41.00. It has a working original cartridge. Just to test the waters of this forum, I submit the following:

From what I've read, I think I did well in what now seems like a project of putting together a nice, 1970s - era BEO system. The 1500 has an amplifier, and it fits nicely into one of the sliding shelves of the MC40; what belonged in the shelf below (lower right) that has ventilation holes cut into it?

What sort of BEO speakers would match these other components?

I know that the Beogram 1602 was an entry-level TT, but is it still "good" as far as those are concerned?

Would it be "wrong" to use non-BEO speakers with my vintage BEO stuff I have already?

Glad to join and I look forward to any commentary.

Tancred.

Welcome to Beoworld. You have picked up a very nice selection. I know one highly thought of collector who reckons  the Beocenter 1500 to be the very best of Jensen's designs. The Beogram 1602 is a fine deck - reliable and has an excellent sound.

The MC40 was really designed for a different set of equipment - the spaces are for a Beomaster, Beocord and Beogram as shown in the linked picture.

My normal recommendation for this type of equipment is the Beovox S45-2. This is a superb sounding speaker which matches the equipment you have and is available for relatively little money. The Beocenter will however work with any loudspeakers though you will need some 2 pin DIN plugs to attach the speaker wire to the Beocenter. 

Congratulations on an excellent purchase.

Hello and welcome to Beoworld!

There is no reason for calling your system an entry product. It was good value for the price back in 1976-78 when it was new. It still offers great sound and its just cheap these days. Its good to hear that they still work great. A Beogram 1600 is a great radial tracker and can get you many good hours. There are not any entry products and only very few is to avoid like the Beovox X series.  

Try go to the main site here and look under products. Your Beocenter is listed here:

http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=386

For speakers look at the bottom links. You could also go with Beovox S45.

 

Thanks Peter.

It's hard not to really like BEO anything.  Thankfully, my Beocenter 1500 is about the same width as the Beomaster, so it still "looks" like it belongs with that cabinet.

 I'll be sure to be asking some more questions as I work toward the day when I can put on one of my favorite LPs and listen to it on a "pure" BEO system.

 

Do remember that a lot of this era of equipment will be drifting out of spec. The big advantage of B&O is that it is made to be serviced and will give years of pleasure. I am actually having a 60s system restored at present which will outperform most modern systems as well as being extremely beautiful and stunningly well made. You are joining a select band who realise that a lot of the older equipment allows you to enjoy music just as much as the newer equipment. I have both but confess to getting more pleasure from my older systems.

From a Beogram 1202 to a Beocenter 2000 with Beovox S45. Then the Beosystem 2000 before getting my present systems yes 2 of them Beolab 8000 and Beosystem 6000 white edition its been great but the more technical highend the more it needs service. Thank's to Dillen here its posiple to give it a 20 odd years rebuild if it needs to be done.

Like Peter I get more pleasure from the old Jacob Jensen area in terms of audio. Still my LX5500 designed by Dawid Lewis is the greatest I've ever had as far as a tv goes.

 

There probably are very rational reasons why an older B&O system sounds "better" to some ears.  I too apreciate the older stuff both for the design and the sound.  One of my best sounding items is a 1950s Braun mono console radio/phonograph.  I don't know if it was designed by Dieter Rams, but it sure looks like it.

I've always "known" about B&O, but now that I actually own some of their fine work, I am becoming a bit obsessed.  This would not surprise any of you, would it?

Thanks again for your input, folks. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tancred:

  One of my best sounding items is a 1950s Braun mono console radio/phonograph.  I don't know if it was designed by Dieter Rams, but it sure looks like it.

 

Once saw a beutiful Braun stereo when I brought a Beovision on Ebay and had to pick it up. Not sure of the age or model, but I know was refered to as. Snow Whites Coffin.

 

Craig

Hey Craig.  That "coffin" sounds like it could have been Dieter Ram's Phonosuper SK-4.  Did it look like this:

 

After reading a few B&O catalogues from 1976, 1978, 1988,1993 and the most recent one, I think the conclusion is justified that, concerning audio, B&O is now returning to it's core-business; sound-before-design, the 80s and 90s it was design before sound. Especially the 1976 catalogue is telling in this respect; pages filled with text concerning technical details and articles about technical/sound engeneering, extensive lists with specifications.

George

Or perhaps one could argue that it was sound AND design?  When I think of that adage "form follows function" I think of the Germans; but in Scandinavian design, especially with the Danes, I see equal attention to function AND form;  beautiful sound and beautiful wood grain.  I can get lost just looking at the top of my MC40 cabinet.  The wood is soooooo nice, so warm and so intriguing.   

You know. I think older B&O products look more well crafted and expensive as compared to the current lineup. The oiled wood the nicely curved metal bars and the old world construction of it all. You have to pay a lot more to get that level of craftmanship nowadays. The current lineup just looks so mass produced. Doesn't look at all different from like Harman Kardon or bose actually. I mean plastic and metal? Be more creative!

wonderfulelectric:

You know. I think older B&O products look more well crafted and expensive as compared to the current lineup. The oiled wood the nicely curved metal bars and the old world construction of it all. You have to pay a lot more to get that level of craftmanship nowadays.

Having taken a fair few of this era of B&O apart I have to say that your comments are absolutely 100% spot on!

I too much prefer the older B&O items, not just for the beautiful sound reproduction but the craftsmanship involved too. They must have employed some pretty fine cabinet makers at the time and the quality of the veneers & materials used were absolutely first class. This is even before I mention the stunning designs!

The modern stuff - although still better than most - doesn't come close.

 

Chris.

Tancred:

Hey Craig.  That "coffin" sounds like it could have been Dieter Ram's Phonosuper SK-4.  Did it look like this:

 

Thats the one, very nice IMO.

 

Craig

Totally agree with all your comments regarding design….

With the risk of putting myself out on a limb, for me there havenot been any good designs in the audio range (except speakers BL5/BL9) since the BS2500 w BL6000 / BS9000 w BL8000 were launched. 

 B&O was the market leader both in terms of design and technology during the 60’s, 70’s & early 80’s and this was where the B&O brand legend was born!  I can only concure with JC comments about the catalogues, in the 70’s they took you through the whole process and built a storey… today its pretty pictures only. The current product designs need to include a sense of this important history,  with the same enduring quality, technology and  iconic design.

 B&O needs to bring back the careful geometry, slim seductivelines and the sense the of refined, elegant proportions of this period, all finished of course in  the iconic brushed / polished aluminium and black glass, red LED/LCD panels and reintroduce the added luxury of rosewood trims to add warmth and contrast. … luxury cars still do it why no tB&O?

 

SC70.

It's all so true.  There seems to be a dimunition in the attention that B&O places on craftsmanship as their brand becomes trendy.  Am I wrong?  Sure, the technical side is good, but B&O better go back to their roots.  Let's have craftsmanship over total sales.

Am I wrong? 

 

soundchoice70:

Totally agree with all your comments regarding design….

With the risk of putting myself out on a limb, for me there havenot been any good designs in the audio range (except speakers BL5/BL9) since the BS2500 w BL6000 / BS9000 w BL8000 were launched. 

 B&O was the market leader both in terms of design and technology during the 60’s, 70’s & early 80’s and this was where the B&O brand legend was born!  I can only concure with JC comments about the catalogues, in the 70’s they took you through the whole process and built a storey… today its pretty pictures only. The current product designs need to include a sense of this important history,  with the same enduring quality, technology and  iconic design.

 B&O needs to bring back the careful geometry, slim seductivelines and the sense the of refined, elegant proportions of this period, all finished of course in  the iconic brushed / polished aluminium and black glass, red LED/LCD panels and reintroduce the added luxury of rosewood trims to add warmth and contrast. … luxury cars still do it why no tB&O?

 

I think it's just very expensive to mass produce that level of craftmanship nowadays. Smaller companies can afford it but as you go larger it's just going against economy of scale.  

Not completely convinced! B&O has to fit into modern settings and although rosewood matches my house, it is not very modern! I also do not want to see B&O making pastiches of the older equipment but to come up with new cutting edge design. I think the Beovision 5 fits in that category so not everything is bad! Buld quality is another issue though, particularly electronic design. The lack of circuit diagrams and the module replacement system is most disturbing.

Sentiments and nostalgia didn't make B&O great. Craftmanship did in combination with designs that were/are not only experienced as beautiful but were in fact works of art. No coincidence that the MOMA displays some B&O products. No other audio/video company comes close to that unique combination. The creation of design that proves to be timeless (but off course can always be placed in a certain period like rosewood cabinets) needs the very best of designers. (One wonders who will come next to an important person like Lewis, a tough act to follow..) However my earlier statement was ment to be positive about the recent products and designs although you need to get used to them like the lab 5's/9' s. And the complete dedication to soundquality is back in my opinion. 

Not all bad I agree, I hope thats not what you all thought from my earlier post.

The beovision ranges I feel are  very well thought out aesthetically and have refined and elegant profiles. And as I noted I think that the BL5 / BL9 are very well designed, a perfect example of form following function indeed, not to mention sound quality being the ultimate goal! ... lets have more of that...

In terms of aesthetic design what I am suggesting (maybe not explaining my self very well tho) is not simply rehashing old designs for today, or simply being nostalgic. What I want to say is that looking to the past to see what was successful and what wasn't allows us to create better designs for the future. One of the inherent strengths of the past ranges was the designs followed, in my opinion certain consistent (and strong) design principles. Today, I fear B&O are trying to compete with a market that is rapidly changing, with other companies churning out new designs on a monthly basis. B&O cannot / should not try to compete with this, just as other luxury brands such as Mercedes spend years in the development of a product so that when the product is launched it is ground breaking yes, but also enduring.

I guess what troubles me is that systems such as the BC2 and BS4 just don't have the B&O x-factor for me, the BS9000 still over shadows them and its what 12 years old? And then products like Beo5, the oddest looking thing, completely unbalanced in terms of design....if you ask me.

Now rosewood ... well I wasn't thinking to add it to everything... just an option on the high end items! Can't help it.... as I just love it. I do however think that it is thoroughly modern material though, in fact was used extensively in Danish mid century modern design and like macassar ebony and other exotic timbers are making a strong return to current interior design as the the trend towards a luxe modern approach is now in demand.

So... I am most definitely not against good modern design... I love it, my house is all modern furniture with mid century design classics as accents, its just that it must be relevant to the product and also its market demographic.

Bravo Soundchoice70!

I'm totally agree with you in all terms, and your point is very clear.....

We discuss on one previous thread about that, and my conclusion is that David Lewis ( I love his work and think that he is great designer) is maybe  to long head of design in B&O.

Every professional  carrier  has rise and falls and he was on top '80 and '90, now.... time has changed , and in my opinion he need to comprehend, face with it and leave like a best industrial designer of his time, otherwise people will remember him from his recent design "failure".

 

I’m enjoying the tangents this thread is taking.  Language is paradoxical in that words remain the same through time but can change in meaning as well.  A case in point is the word “modern,” with all its various connotations.  For me, the word speaks to a style, rather than referring to “the present time.”  But it certainly can be used that way, and without reproach.  I consider myself to be a “modern” man, after all.

 

But one cannot divorce Bang & Olufsen from the modernist movement into which it was born; especially the vibrant culture and history of Scadanavian modernism, which could be seen as its own sub-movement within the larger context of “modernism.”  In fact, the Scandanavians had their own name, “Funkis,” which was applied to almost every facet of design, from a large building down to the smallest ashtray.  And like the masters of the Workbund and the Bauhaus that preceded them, the Nordic designers loved to move from medium to medium, designing a house one day and working on a new chair design on another.  That is why Bang & Olufsen “equipment” from mid-twentieth-century is so remarkably attractive and intrinsically functional.  I can’t speak to the particularly Danish aspects of their work, but I’m sure they apply as well.

 

Again, many thanks to you all for the comments and advice.  Not everyone can (or is willing) to discuss foam-rot; I'm glad you folks can.

Hi,

Right you are... modernism has been with us for around 80 years. And you know what, some of those earliest iconic pieces are in use more today than they ever were in the period they were created. Just look to pieces by the likes of Mies, Eileen, Bruer and Corbusier. That is the beauty of modernist design, it's timeless appeal, and why I think B&O products with their strong (carefully designed) modern lines, unlike any other electronics company, seem to have such enduring qualities.

Well I think that we should all patiently wait and see what B&O comes up with when they launch the Beosound 5, and see if we are entering the next, new exciting chapter for the the brand.... Lets hope so!